Electronic monitoring device and patch assembly

ABSTRACT

A monitoring device and patch assembly includes a patch that removably and re-attachably holds the monitoring device. The patch is adapted to connect the monitoring device to a pneumatic tire when the monitoring device is held by the patch. The patch is configured to hold a monitoring device having a rounded outer surface. The patch holds the rounded monitoring device by having a resilient tube with an outlet having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the monitoring device. The monitoring device of the invention includes a feature that allows it to be removed from the patch.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application claiming priority fromU.S. Pat. No. 7,009,506, which is a continuation-in-part applicationclaiming priority from U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,303 issued Mar. 1, 2005,which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,251 issued May 14, 2002,which is a continuation application claiming priority from U.S. Pat. No.6,030,478 issued Feb. 29, 2000; the disclosures of each are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention generally relates to mounting arrangements for electronicmonitoring devices and, more particularly, to an electronic monitoringdevice and patch assembly wherein the electronic monitoring device isremovably attached to the patch so that the electronic monitoring devicemay be repeatedly removed from and reattached to the patch.Specifically, the present invention relates to a patch that removablyand re-attachably holds an electronic monitoring device having a roundedbody.

2. Background Information

Monitoring the engineering conditions of tires is becoming more and moredesirable in the art. The monitored engineering conditions includeinternal pressure and internal temperature and other conditions that areuseful for improving tire efficiency in the field. Monitoring tireconditions on large off-the-road equipment has become especiallydesirable given the costs of the tires.

Prior art methods of monitoring large truck tires have included passiveintegrated circuits embedded in the body of the tire, or self-poweredcircuits which are positioned external to the tire. The passiveintegrated circuits rely on inductive magnetic coupling or capacitativecoupling to energize the circuit, thus providing power to the circuitfrom a source remote from the tire. Self-powered circuits positionedexternal to the tire are exposed to damage from the environment such asweather, road hazards and even vandalism.

Recent engineering advances have permitted the installation ofmonitoring devices having active integrated circuits within tires. Onesuch device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,787 to Koch et al.entitled Method of Monitoring Conditions of Vehicle Tires, incorporatedherein by reference, and assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention. These devices include an active circuit powered by adedicated long life, miniature battery and at least one sensor fordetecting, optionally storing and transmitting real time engineeringconditions within the tire. Such devices are capable of being programmedto remain in an active, but dormant condition, but will switchautomatically to an “awakened” condition in response to an externalsignal or a condition which exceeds preset limits.

These devices have been mounted to the tires in some prior artsituations. Other systems have placed the monitoring device looselyinside the tire so that the monitoring device could roll freely withinthe tire while performing its monitoring functions. An example of thistype of device is explained in U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,192. Although these“loose” devices have been accepted for use in some tires and in somesituations, other tires and other situations are believed to performbetter when the monitoring device is fixed to the tire. In thesesituations, a mount is desired that can be used to mount a “loose”monitoring device—such as the monitoring device having the rounded bodyof U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,192—into a tire.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a monitoring device and patch assembly whereinthe patch is configured to removably and re-attachably hold a monitoringdevice having a body that is outwardly curved. In one embodiment of theinvention, the patch includes a tube that removably and re-attachablyreceives the monitoring device.

The invention also provides a monitoring device that has a feature thatallows the monitoring device to be removed from the patch. In oneembodiment, the feature is an opening in the body of the monitoringdevice that allows a hook to be connected to the body to extract themonitoring device from the patch.

The invention also provides a monitoring device and patch combinationthat positions the monitoring device in a predictable orientation withrespect to the tire so that the antenna of the monitoring device may betuned for the orientation. The invention provides embodiments whereinthe antenna is encapsulated and freely extending.

The invention also provides an embodiment having a teardrop shapedmonitoring device that is attached to a patch. The antenna of themonitoring device may extend into the tail portion of the teardrop. Theteardrop shaped monitoring device may also be removably andre-attachably connected to the patch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the first embodiment ofthe patch of the invention showing the housing and cavity for the tagassembly.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the patch of the present inventionattached to the innerliner of a tire.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic monitoring deviceembedded in potting material.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the mold used to embed theelectronic monitoring device in the potting material.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery attached to the tag;forming a tag assembly.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the tag assembly assembled insidethe cavity of the tire patch, with a locking device holding the tagassembly in place, before crimping of the locking device.

FIG. 7 is a second embodiment of the present invention depicting across-sectional view of the tag assembly being locked inside the cavityof the tire patch with a threaded insert.

FIG. 8 is a third embodiment of the present invention showing a threadedtag assembly threaded into the cavity of the rubber patch housing.

FIG. 9 is a fourth embodiment of the present invention, shown inperspective, showing a slot and tab arrangement for locking a tagassembly to a rubber patch housing.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the fifth embodiment of the inventionshowing a tag assembly connected to a patch.

FIG. 11 is a section view of the patch taken along line 11-11 of FIG.10showing the patch in section with the tag assembly in elevation.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing the tag assembly beingremoved from the patch.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing the tag assembly and patchimmediately after the tag assembly has been removed from the patch.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the sixth embodiment of the inventionshowing a tag assembly connected to a patch.

FIG. 15 is a section view of the patch taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14showing the patch in section with the tag assembly in elevation.

FIG. 16 is a section view of a pneumatic tire with a seventh embodimentof the invention mounted to the crown portion of the tire.

FIG. 17 is a section view taken through the patch and monitoring deviceof FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a section view similar to FIG. 17 showing an eighthembodiment of the invention wherein the entire length of the antenna isnot encapsulated.

FIG. 19 is a section view similar to FIG. 17 showing a ninth embodimentof the invention wherein the encapsulated monitoring device is threadedto the patch.

FIG. 20 is a section view showing a tenth embodiment of the inventionwherein an encapsulated monitoring device is threaded into a housingthat is encapsulated around a portion of the patch.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below withreference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a rubber patch 10 of the present invention. The patch 10has a first side 12 which includes a housing 14 with a cavity 16 of apreselected configuration. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 14 has acavity 16 which is cylindrical, although the cavity 16 may be of anyconvenient configuration, as will become apparent from the descriptionwhich follows. The patch has a second opposite side 18 approximating thecontour of an innerliner of a tire (not shown). In a preferredembodiment, the rubber patch is vulcanized and then assembled to thevulcanized tire. Although any method for assembling the vulcanizedrubber patch to the vulcanized tire, one acceptable and preferred methodis set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,046; the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference. In accordance with the referencedapplication, the patch may be a rubber selected from the groupconsisting of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber, butylrubber, natural rubber, neoprene and mixtures thereof. One preferredembodiment is a mixture of chlorobutyl rubber and natural rubber.Another preferred embodiment is a mixture of Styrene-Butadiene rubber(SBR) and natural rubber. Typically, patches made of these rubbercompositions may be cured by heating to a temperature of about150.degree. C. and holding at this temperature for about 30 minutes. Thetime and temperature may be modified as necessary to achieve sufficientcuring of the patch for further assembly. The second side 18 of thepatch 10 approximates the contour of an innerliner of a tire. Thecontour of the second side 18 preferably is radiused to have about thesame radius as the tire to which it is assembled, the radius beinglarger for larger tires. For very large tires, such as for off-the-roadtires, the radius may be eliminated altogether, so that there is nocontour and the opposite side is flat, having no contour.

Affixed to the second side 18 of the vulcanized tire patch is a dualcure bonding layer 20, which has a first side (not shown) and a secondside 22. This dual cure bonding layer may be assembled to the patch atany time following vulcanization of the patch and prior to assembly ofthe patch assembly to the tire innerliner. The dual cure bonding layeris permanently assembled to the patch to form patch assembly 60. Anon-curing cement (not shown) is applied to side 18 of the patch inorder to hold the dual cure bonding layer 20 onto the patch. Exemplarynon-curing cement and an exemplary dual cure bonding layer are productsof Patch Rubber Company. The important feature of the dual cure bondinglayer is that it can be chemically activated and cured, without the needfor heating to an elevated temperature. The process is diffusioncontrolled, however, and some minimal heating will speed the curingprocess. The dual cure bonding layer may be any material which can beactivated and cured to the vulcanized rubber of the tire innerliner andthe vulcanized patch. Preferably, however, the dual cure bonding rubberis natural rubber. The dual cure bonding rubber, after application ofthe activating cement, may cure at room temperature over a period ofseventy-two (72) hours. However, if more rapid curing is desired, thismay be accomplished by heating to 45.degree. C. for at least twenty-fourhours.

Referring now to FIG. 2, patch assembly 60 is then assembled to theinnerliner 75 of tire 71. Activating cement is first applied to secondside 22 of dual cure bonding layer 20. The patch assembly is thenstitched to the innerliner of the vulcanized tire and the patchassembly/tire assembly is allowed to cure for a sufficient time andtemperature to form a strong bond between the tire and the patchassembly. The times and temperatures utilized for this curing may bebasically the same times and temperatures as previously discussed. Toensure a strong bond, the patch assembly optionally may be clamped tothe tire innerliner 75, until the curing cycle is completed.

The electronic monitoring device is a circuit board which includessensors and may include an antenna. The electronic monitoring device mayinclude a power source or battery, although the battery may be attachedto the electronic monitoring device at a later time. In the preferredembodiment, the battery is not included as part of the electronicmonitoring device. The electronic monitoring device 34 is encapsulatedin a potting material 40 which solidifies into a rigid material as shownin FIG. 3. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the electronic monitoring device34 is placed within a mold 42 having a first half 52 and a second half54. The mold is then filled with the potting material 40 in fluid form,which fills the mold and flows around the electronic monitoring deviceand allowed to cure, resulting in a rigid tag. Any potting materialhaving a Young's Modulus of at least 30,000 psi and which is capable ofbeing molded around the electronic monitoring device without damagingany of the components of the device. Preferably, the potting materialhas a Young's Modulus of at least about 100,000 psi. Two preferredpotting materials include epoxy and urethane. If desired, the curing ofthe potting material around the electronic device may be accelerated bypreheating the mold to an elevated temperature which is above ambient,but below the temperature at which damage to the electronic monitoringdevice will occur. A preferred temperature is about 80.degree. C. Afterthe epoxy has been cured, the mold halves 52, 54 are separated, yieldinga rigid, encapsulated tag 30. In a preferred embodiment, FIG. 5, abattery 68 which provides power to the tag 30 is attached to the tag toform a tag assembly 70. Although the battery is shown as held inposition contacting the electronic monitoring device 34 by threading,any suitable means of attaching the battery to the circuit board so thatthe battery may be removed is acceptable. Alternate means of attachingthe battery to the circuit board may include spring clips, lock pins orother hold down devices.

The tag assembly 70 may be of any configuration which allows it to fitwithin the contour of the cavity 16, both of which are cylindrical inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 1. In the preferred embodiment, tagassembly 70 is assembled into the cavity 16 as shown in FIG. 6. Sincethe rubber patch assembly can be attached to the tire using an air cureor low temperature cure, it is understood that the sequence ofassembling the tag assembly into the rubber patch housing may beaccomplished either before or after the rubber patch is attached to thetire innerliner. Tag assembly includes an optional antenna 72. Housing14 includes slots 74 to receive the antenna. After the tag assembly 70is in place within the cavity, at least one lock pin 76 is insertedthrough a first aperture 78 in housing 80. As shown in FIG. 6, lock pin76 is positioned across at least a portion of the top of tag assembly70, preferably through a second aperture 82 on the opposite side of thehousing. Alternatively, lock pin 76 could extend into the potting of tagassembly 70.

The positioning of the lock pin is not critical, so long as lock pin 78positively secures tag assembly 70 into position within cavity 16 andprevents tag assembly 70 from moving. After insertion through thehousing 14, the lock pin 76 is deformed so that it will not back out ofthe apertures. Tag assembly 70 may then be removed from the housing bysimply drilling lock pin 76 out of aperture 78.

Many different methods of positively locking the tag assembly can beaccomplished. By way of illustration of equivalent locking techniques,instead of a locking pin, a self-tapping screw may be inserted throughaperture 78 and screwed into position within the potting.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 7,tag assembly 70 has a profile corresponding to that of cavity 16. Tagassembly is assembled into the bottom of cavity 16. Housing 14 extendsabove tag assembly 70 after it has been assembled into cavity 16. Insert90, also having a profile corresponding to cavity 16 is the insertedinto the housing until the bottom 96 of insert 90 contacts the top oftag assembly 70, thus securing it in place. Insert 90 is then locked inplace. This may be accomplished by any convenient method, such as byextending a locking pin through insert 90 and deforming it, or byutilizing locking tabs to secure insert 90 to patch assembly 10.However, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 7, insert 90 includesexternal threads 94 which correspond to internal threads 92 formed inhousing 14. Insert 90 is screwed into housing 14 until the insert bottom96 contacts the top of tag assembly 70. Of course, regardless of themethod used to secure tag assembly 70 in place in cavity 16, tagassembly is readily removable for battery replacement or replacement ofthe entire assembly 70 by removing insert 90 from housing 14. It isobvious that tag assembly 70 may be reinserted after accomplishingrepair or replacement, or after retreading of the tire by simplyreplacing insert 90 over the reassembled tag assembly and locking insert90 in place as discussed above.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8, a tag assemblyof 110 including the components previously discussed, is formed withexternal threads 112 in the potting. Rubber patch assembly 120, alsosimilar to rubber patches previously discussed, includes internalthreads 122 formed in housing 124 which mate with the external: threads112 of tag assembly. Tag assembly 110 is assembled into rubber patchassembly 120 by simply screwing tag assembly 110 into housing 124. Whilethis arrangement normally should be sufficient to lock tag assembly torubber patch assembly, an optional locking pin or set screw may be addedto the assembly to lock the internal and external threads in place andprevent tag assembly from backing out of the housing of rubber patchassembly 120.

From the foregoing, other embodiments should be obvious. For example, aslot and spline arrangement not shown may be used to lock the tagassembly into the housing. Mating slots and splines are formed in thepotting of the tag assembly and in the housing. After placing the tagassembly into the housing, an optional locking device as previouslydiscussed may be used to prevent the tag assembly from backing out ofthe housing.

In yet another embodiment, depicted in FIG. 9, tag assembly 130 isformed with at least one tab 132, while housing 142 of rubber patch 140is formed with slots 144 corresponding to tabs on tag assembly 130. Atthe bottom of the slots is a ring 146 having an internal diametercorresponding to the slot depth on the housing and extending from eachslot at least partially around the housing bottom. Once tabs 132 of tagassembly 130 are mated with slots 144 of rubber patch and tag assembly130 is inserted into housing 142, tag assembly 130 is rotatedsufficiently so that tabs 132 are rotated into ring 146 and no longerare aligned with slots 144, locking the tag assembly to rubber patch140. An optional locking mechanism, such as discussed previously, may beadded to lock tag assembly 130 to rubber patch 140 if there is a concernabout rotation of tag assembly 130 with respect to rubber patchassembly. Another method of locking tag assembly 130 to rubber patch 140is to insert a piece of material (not shown) into at least one slot 144,for example by an interference fit between the slot and the material, sothat in the event of rotation of the parts with respect to one another,even if the tabs 132 and slots become aligned, tabs 132 are preventedfrom moving axially in the slot. It is obvious that an equivalentstructure can be achieved by reversing the arrangement of slots 144,ring 146 and tabs 132 between tag assembly 130 and housing 142. In thisarrangement, at least one tab is formed in the housing and at least oneslot corresponding to tabs is formed in tab assembly.

The fifth embodiment of the monitoring device (tag) and patch assemblyof the invention is indicated generally by the numeral 200 in FIGS.10-13. Assembly 200 generally includes a patch 202 and a monitoringdevice 204 that includes a protective body and a monitoring assembly.Patch 202 is generally configured to hold monitoring device 204 in amanner that allows monitoring device 204 to be repeatedly removed frompatch 202 and reattached to patch 202 so that monitoring device 202 maybe selectively mounted to tire 71 by selectively mounting monitoringdevice 204 to patch 202.

The fifth embodiment of monitoring device 204 has an outer surface thatis rounded or curved in a manner that allows the body to roll asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,192. The exemplary embodiments of theinvention depict monitoring devices that are free of flat surfaces. Theexemplary embodiments in these drawings depict a sphere and an oblongsphere although other shapes are contemplated by the inventors. Otherembodiments of monitoring device 204 may have outer surfaces that havesubstantially outer curved or rounded surfaces when the outer surfacesinclude a plurality of small flat surfaces that cooperate to define an,outer rounded surface. These types of monitoring devices are designed tobe placed loosely within a tire such that they may roll around beingbounded by only the tire and the rim. Monitoring device 204 may have thesame structure as the monitoring device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,082,192; the disclosures of this patent are incorporated herein byreference. As such, monitoring device 204 and those having the same typeof configuration (a rounded outer surface) do not have any features thatmay be used to secure them to a patch. Patch 202 of the presentinvention is designed to hold monitoring device 204 in a fixed positionwith respect to tire 71 without requiring any special modification tomonitoring device 204 that would prevent monitoring device 204 frombeing used in a tire in a loose, free rolling configuration.

Patch 202 includes a base 206 and a tube section 208 that projects upfrom base 206. Patch 202 may include a bonding layer 20 as describedabove. Tube section 208 is annular and continuous and defines a cavity210. Tube section 208 includes a continuous lip 211 that defines anopening 212 that provides access to cavity 210. Lip 211 and tube section208 are free of interruptions, such as slits, that would allow lip 211and tube section 208 to unintentionally open when used with the roundedmonitoring devices of the invention. The continuity of lip 211 increasesthe retaining ability of patch 202 which is important when holding aspherical, oblong sphere, or teardrop shaped monitoring device. Thecontinuity of lip 211 also reduces the risk that lip 211 will tearduring extended use. Tube section 208 tapers closed toward lip 211.

The resting position of lip 211 and opening 212 is smaller than themaximum width of monitoring device 204 such that opening 212 must bestretched wider to allow monitoring device 204 to be inserted into andremoved from cavity 210. Lip 211 thus has a closed resting position andan open stretched position. Cavity 210 has a depth that is greater thanhalf of the height of monitoring device 204 such that tube section 208will close around monitoring device 204 to hold it in place. The wallsof tube section 208 have sufficient elasticity and extensibility suchthat opening 212 may be stretched open to accommodate monitoring device204 to seat monitoring device 204 within patch 202 as depicted in FIG.11. The elasticity of the walls allows them to return to their restingposition to trap monitoring device 204 with an interference fit withinpatch 202. The material of patch 202 is configured to retain theseproperties overtime in both hot and cold operating conditions. Inexemplary embodiments, patch 202 may be fabricated from any of a varietyof thermosets or thermoplastics that have desirable resiliency and agedproperties.

Opening 212 may be centered about the longitudinal axis of patch 202such that opening 212 is directed toward the center of tire 71 whenpatch 202 is mounted to tire 71. Centrifugal forces will thus forcemonitoring device 204 against patch 202.

The inner surface 214 that defines cavity 210 may be curved tosubstantially match the outer curvature of monitoring device 204 asshown in FIG. 11. In other embodiments of the invention, the innersurface 214 may be configured such that an air pocket is disposedbetween base 206 and monitoring device 204.

In the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 11, monitoringdevice 204 is oblong and is positioned with its largest diametersubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of patch 202.Device 204 may be 3 to 5 percent out of round to achieve the benefits ofan oblong device. The inventors also contemplate that patch 202 may beconfigured to receive monitoring device 204 with the smallest diameterof monitoring device 204 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of patch 202. An oblong configuration helps properly alignmonitoring device 204 within patch 202 when vibration forces movemonitoring device 204 with respect to patch 202.

A predictable proper alignment is important when monitoring device 204has an antenna 218 that is tuned to function better when positioned in aspecific direction. For example, antenna 218 may be aligned with thelongest dimension of monitoring device 204 so that the user will knownthe orientation and can orient antenna 218 with respect to tire 71.

The proper alignment of monitoring device 204 is also important so thatthe breathing tube 219 for the pressure sensor remains positioned withinopening 212.

The proper alignment is also important when monitoring device 204 has aretraction opening 220 that allows a tool or retraction device 222 toengage monitoring device 204 and pull it from patch 202 as shown inFIGS. 12 and 13. Opening 220 allows at least a portion of device 222 tobe inserted into the body of device 204 such that device 204 may bepulled from patch 202. FIGS. 14 and 15 depict a sixth embodiment whereinmonitoring device 204 is spherical. Another method of removingmonitoring device 204 from patch 202 is to squeeze tube section 208adjacent base 206 to force monitoring device 204 out of patch 202. Thesqueezing force may be used in conjunction with tool 222.

Patch 202 has rounded and curved walls and surfaces that lack pointswhere stresses are concentrated. The lack of stress concentrationincreases the durability of patch 202. Tube section 208 may also beconfigured to absorb vibrational forces. Assembly 200 also has theadvantage that monitoring device 204 will not harm tire 71 if monitoringdevice 204 falls out of patch 202 because monitoring device is designedto be used loosely within tire 71 and includes no sharp edges that coulddamage tire 71.

The seventh embodiment of the monitoring device (tag) and patch assemblyof the invention is indicated generally by the numeral 300 in FIGS.16-17. Assembly 300 generally includes patch 202 and an encapsulatedmonitoring device 304 having a protective body 305 and a monitoringassembly 306. Monitoring assembly 306 includes an antenna 307 and thecomponents 308 that are necessary to monitor and transmit the conditionsof the tire.

As described above, patch 202 is generally configured to hold monitoringdevice 304 in a manner that allows monitoring device 304 to berepeatedly removed from patch 202 and reattached to patch 202 so thatmonitoring device 202 may be selectively mounted to tire 71 byselectively mounting monitoring device 304 to patch 202. In the seventhembodiment of invention, monitoring device 304 is teardrop shaped withthe rounded head 310 of the teardrop being held by patch 202 in themanner described above. The tapered tail portion 311 of monitoringdevice 304 extends out of patch 202 into the interior of tire 71.

Antenna 307 of the monitoring system may be positioned in tail portion311 with components 308 being disposed in head 310. Antenna 307 isparallel to the longitudinal axis of patch 202. Antenna 307 is thusdisposed substantially perpendicular to the surface of patch 202 thatengages tire 71. This configuration allows antenna 307 to be disposedradially with respect to tire 71 when patch 202 is attached to the crownportion of tire 71 as depicted in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 depicts an eighth embodiment of the invention wherein themonitoring device 320 has a freely extending antenna 307. Antenna 307extends straight from patch 202 as described above.

The ninth embodiment of the assembly is indicated generally by thenumeral 350 in FIG. 19. Assembly 350 includes a patch 352 and amonitoring device 354 that includes a protective body 356 and amonitoring assembly 358. Ninth embodiment 350 is also teardrop shapedbut the head 360 of the teardrop is threaded to cooperate with threadsdefined by patch 352 to hold device 354 in place.

The tenth embodiment of the assembly is indicated generally by thenumeral 400 in FIG. 20. Assembly 400 includes a patch 402 and amonitoring device 404 that includes a protective body 406 and amonitoring assembly 408. Monitoring device 404 is the same as monitoringdevice 354 described above. In the tenth embodiment, monitoring device404 is not directly connected to patch 402. In this embodiment, assembly400 includes an intermediate housing 410 that is attached to patch 402.Monitoring device 404 is connected to housing 410 when it is mounted.

Housing 410 may be fabricated from the same material as protective body406 or another material more rigid than the material of patch 402. Inone embodiment of the invention, housing 410 is encapsulated around theupper portion of patch 402. In other embodiments, housing 410 may beadhesively connected or mechanically connected to patch 402.

Housing 410 defines a cavity 412 adapted to receive all of, or a portionof, monitoring device 404. Housing 410 and monitoring device 404 definecooperating threads 414 that allow monitoring device 404 to beselectively attached to and removed from housing 410. In addition tothreads 414, any of the other attachment arrangements described abovemay be used without departing from the concepts of the invention.

While in accordance with the patent statutes, the best mode andpreferred embodiment has been set forth above, the scope of theinvention is not limited thereto, but rather by the scope of theattached claims.

1-23. (canceled)
 24. A tire monitoring device configured to be mounted in a tire, the tire monitoring device comprising: a tag assembly including an electronic monitoring device and a rigid protective layer covering the electronic monitoring device; and a patch configured to be permanently mounted to an interior surface of the tire, the patch being formed at least in part by rounded walls, the tag assembly and the patch being selectively removably connected together by sliding either the tag assembly or patch relative to one another.
 25. The tire monitoring device of claim 24, wherein the patch includes a tube section that surrounds the tag assembly when the patch and tag assembly are removably connected together.
 26. The tire monitoring device of claim 24, wherein the tag assembly is not surrounded by the patch when the tag assembly is removably connected thereto, the tag assembly being configured to extend inward from the patch and the interior surface of the tire when mounted thereon.
 27. The tire monitoring device of claim 24, wherein the patch is a rubber-based patch and the rigid protective layer is formed from at least one of epoxy and urethane.
 28. The tire monitoring device of claim 27, wherein the rigid protective layer has a Young's Modulus of at least about 100,000 psi.
 29. The tire monitoring device of claim 24, wherein the tag assembly includes an opening and the patch includes a projection configured to slidably engage the opening in the tag assembly such that the patch and tag assembly can be removably connected together by sliding either the tag assembly or patch relative to one another.
 30. The tire monitoring device of claim 24, further comprising an antenna operably connected to the electronic monitoring device through the protective layer.
 31. The tire monitoring device of claim 24, wherein the tag assembly includes two opposed, substantially linear sliding surfaces and the patch includes two opposed, substantially linear sliding surfaces that are configured to slidably engage the tag assembly sliding surfaces such that the tag assembly and patch can be selectively connected together by sliding either the tag assembly or patch relative to one another in a first direction and selectively disconnected by sliding either the tag assembly or patch relative to one another in a second opposite direction.
 32. The tire monitoring device of claim 24, wherein the electronic monitoring device is configured to monitor both temperature and pressure inside the tire.
 33. A tire monitoring device configured to be mounted in a tire, the tire monitoring device comprising: a tag assembly including an electronic monitoring device and a rigid protective layer covering the electronic monitoring device, the tag assembly including two opposed, substantially linear sliding surfaces; an antenna operably connected to the electronic monitoring device through the protective layer; and a patch configured to be permanently mounted to an interior surface of the tire, the patch including two opposed, substantially linear sliding surfaces that are configured to slidably engage the tag assembly sliding surfaces such that the tag assembly and patch can be removably connected and disconnected by sliding either the tag assembly or patch relative to one another in a substantially linear manner.
 34. The tire monitoring device of claim 33, wherein the sliding engagement between the tag assembly and the patch act to secure the tag assembly and patch together as a combined assembly with no movement therebetween in a direction other than the sliding direction.
 35. The tire monitoring device of claim 34, wherein the sliding engagement between the tag assembly and patch results in a portion of the patch fitting snugly between the two opposed sliding surfaces of the tag assembly, thereby preventing movement in a direction other than the sliding direction.
 36. The tire monitoring device of claim 33, wherein the patch has a substantially planar surface configured to engage the inner surface of the tire, and the two opposing linear sliding surfaces form a portion of a member configured to extend inwardly from the substantially planar surface when the device is mounted in the tire.
 37. A tire monitoring device configured to be mounted in a tire, the tire monitoring device comprising: a tag assembly including an electronic monitoring device and a rigid protective layer, the tag assembly including an opening; and a patch configured to be permanently mounted to an interior surface of the tire, the patch including a projection configured to selectively engage the opening in the tag assembly such that the patch and the tag assembly can be removably connected together by sliding either the tag assembly or patch relative to one another.
 38. The tire monitoring device of claim 37, wherein the tag assembly is formed by using a mold having two halves, a liquefied material being provided in the mold surrounding the electronic monitoring device and allowed to subsequently solidify into the rigid protective layer.
 39. The tire monitoring device of claim 37, wherein the sliding engagement between the tag assembly and the patch act to secure the tag assembly and patch together as a combined assembly with no movement therebetween in a direction other than the sliding direction.
 40. The tire monitoring device of claim 37, wherein the tag assembly has a plurality of openings configured to selectively engage the projection from the patch.
 41. A tire, comprising: a tread portion, a sidewall portion, and bead portion that together define an interior portion; and a tire monitoring device mounted within the interior portion of the tire, the tire monitoring device configured to monitor temperature and pressure within the interior portion of the tire, the tire monitoring device comprising: a tag assembly including an electronic monitoring device and a rigid protective coating covering the electronic monitoring device, the tag assembly including an opening; and a rubber-based patch including a projection configured to selectively slidably engage the opening in the tag assembly such that the patch and tag assembly can be removably connected to one another through a sliding motion, but are otherwise firmly fastened together as a combined assembly with no movement therebetween.
 42. A tire, comprising: a tread portion, sidewall portion, and bead portion that together define an interior portion; and a tire monitoring device mounted within the interior portion of the tire, the tire monitoring device configured to monitor temperature and pressure within the interior portion of the tire, the tire monitoring device comprising: a tag assembly including an electronic monitoring device and a rigid protective layer, the tag assembly including two opposed, substantially linear sliding surfaces, an antenna operably connected to the electronic monitoring device through the protective layer; a rubber-based patch including two opposed, substantially linear sliding surfaces that are configured to selectively slidably engage the tag assembly sliding surfaces such that the patch and tag assembly are removably connected to one another through a sliding motion, but are otherwise firmly fastened together as a combined assembly with no movement therebetween.
 43. The tire of claim 42, wherein the sliding engagement between the tag assembly and the patch results in a portion of the patch being captured within the tag assembly.
 44. A tire for a vehicle, the tire comprising: a body; a patch attached to the body; an electronic monitoring device having at least one sensor for sensing a condition of the tire; at least one of the patch or electronic monitoring device having a slot; and a spline disposed in the slot to lock the electronic monitoring device to the patch.
 45. The tire of claim 44, wherein the patch is formed from a vulcanized rubber.
 46. The tire of claim 45, wherein the body includes an innerliner; the patch being connected to the innerliner.
 47. The tire of claim 44, wherein the electronic monitoring device is encapsulated with an encapsulation material; the slot being at least partially defined by the encapsulation material.
 48. The tire of claim 44, wherein the patch defines the spline.
 49. The tire of claim 44, wherein the electronic monitoring device is encapsulated with an encapsulation material; the spline being defined by the encapsulation material.
 50. The tire of claim 44, wherein the patch defines a cavity; the slot opening into the cavity of the patch.
 51. The tire of claim 50, wherein a portion of the electronic monitoring device is disposed in the cavity defined by the patch; the spline being disposed between the portion of the electronic monitoring device disposed in the cavity and the patch.
 52. A tire for a vehicle, the tire comprising: a body; a mount attached to the body; the mount defining a cavity; an electronic device having information related to the tire; at least a portion of the electronic monitoring device adapted to fit within the cavity of the mount; at least one of the mount or electronic monitoring device having a first slot; and a lock member disposed in the first slot to lock the electronic monitoring device within the mount.
 53. The tire of claim 52, wherein the lock member projects from the other of the mount and electronic monitoring device.
 54. The tire of claim 53, further comprising a ring-shaped slot disposed perpendicular to the first slot; the ring-shaped slot connected to the first slot.
 55. The tire of claim 52, wherein the lock member comprises a spline.
 56. The tire of claim 52, wherein the cavity is cylindrical; the portion of the monitoring device disposed in the cavity being cylindrical.
 57. The tire of claim 52, wherein the lock member slides with respect to the slot.
 58. The tire of claim 52, wherein the component that defines the first slot defines a plurality of first slots; a lock member being disposed in each of the first slots.
 59. The tire of claim 58, wherein each of the lock members comprises a spline.
 60. The tire of claim 58, wherein each of the first slots has a ring-shaped slot portion disposed perpendicular to the first slot.
 61. The tire of claim 52, wherein the monitoring device is encapsulated with an encapsulation material. 